N Gauge Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Vonzack on January 06, 2020, 10:57:42 AM

Title: Hot Wire Cutter advice / suggestions
Post by: Vonzack on January 06, 2020, 10:57:42 AM
Hi,

I'm wanting to buy a hot wire cutter and having used a Proxon one in the past which I found perfect for the job, I'm wondering if anybody knows of a similar product which is available. What I particularly want/like about the Proxon is the ability to profile the wire for the cut as it's great for cutting embankments in a single pass.

This is a link to the one I've used before - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Proxxon-Professional-THERMOCUT-27082-Thermal/dp/B001DXMF9M/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=proxon&qid=1578303891&sr=8-6 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Proxxon-Professional-THERMOCUT-27082-Thermal/dp/B001DXMF9M/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=proxon&qid=1578303891&sr=8-6)

As it's really only for a small'ish job, I don't really want to spend £35 on the cutter and £30 on the 12v DC 2A supply to run it, I'm from Yorkshire after all.

Cheers, Mark.
Title: Re: Hot Wire Cutter advice / suggestions
Post by: ntpntpntp on January 06, 2020, 11:12:47 AM
Just borrow a kitchen knife  :D    I keep a cheap old one just for cutting polystyrene. No mess, no smell of melted stuff, and gets into places a hot wire cutter cannot reach.
Title: Re: Hot Wire Cutter advice / suggestions
Post by: LAandNQFan on January 06, 2020, 11:14:36 AM
I bought a cheap battery-powered cutter from eBay and it has done the job for me.
Title: Re: Hot Wire Cutter advice / suggestions
Post by: themadhippy on January 06, 2020, 02:31:59 PM
build your own,the wires only a couple of quid on the bay  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nichrome-Wire-Various-Gauges-Resistance-Heating-Element-Wire-UK-Stock/122195625014?hash=item1c736d4436:m:mgm-sM10EnmUEQDHMMcTZFw&var=422448342087 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nichrome-Wire-Various-Gauges-Resistance-Heating-Element-Wire-UK-Stock/122195625014?hash=item1c736d4436:m:mgm-sM10EnmUEQDHMMcTZFw&var=422448342087)
and power it from an old  pc power supply